Verona Vs Monza

Monza’s quest for their first Serie A win this season will see them travel to Stadio Bentegodi on Monday evening to face Hellas Verona. After seven matches, Monza remains the only team without a victory, which has left them languishing in the relegation zone with just four points to their name. Sitting in 19th place, they are desperate to get their season on track, while their opponents, Verona, sit comfortably above them with nine points.

Match Preview

Hellas Verona, on the other hand, experienced a moment of relief before the recent international break when they managed to halt a concerning run of three consecutive losses. Their resurgence came in the form of a hard-fought 2-1 victory against regional rivals Venezia. Despite conceding an early goal in that match, Verona's resolve came to the fore as striker Casper Tengstedt pulled them level with a crucial equalizer, followed by an own goal from Venezia’s goalkeeper Jesse Joronen, which sealed the victory.

This much-needed win not only lifted the Gialloblu to 12th place in the standings but also bolstered their spirits going into the international break. With nine points on the board, they are beginning to show signs of a team capable of mid-table stability, especially following the arrival of summer signings Tengstedt and Daniel Mosquera. The duo has breathed new life into Verona's attack, as the team has found the back of the net more frequently since their introduction.

At home, Verona has been somewhat unpredictable. They’ve won two of their first four home matches in Serie A this season, but have also suffered two losses. Notably, they have not drawn any games in the league or cup so far this term, highlighting their all-or-nothing approach under head coach Paolo Zanetti.

One of Verona’s standout traits this season has been their ability to turn up the heat in the second half of matches. Along with Napoli, they have scored the joint-most goals (nine) after the break this season, indicating their ability to grow stronger as games progress. This second-half potency means Verona poses a significant threat even if they fall behind early in matches.

Looking at their head-to-head record, Verona has typically fared well against Monza at home. Before suffering a 3-1 defeat to the Biancorossi last November, Verona had gone unbeaten in six consecutive encounters at Stadio Bentegodi. This history of dominance on home soil could give the Gialloblu confidence as they prepare to host a Monza side still struggling to find its footing.

Monza’s Struggles

While Verona is starting to show signs of improvement, Monza finds themselves in a precarious situation. Under the management of Alessandro Nesta, Monza has yet to secure a single win in Serie A this season. Their most recent fixture, just before the international break, ended in a 1-1 draw against Roma. While a point against a team of Roma’s caliber might be seen as a positive result on the surface, it extended Monza’s winless run in the league to seven games, leaving them stranded near the bottom of the table.

Dany Mota’s late equalizer against Roma may have salvaged a point, but it did little to address the deeper issues plaguing Nesta’s side. Sitting in 19th place with just four points, Monza’s inability to convert performances into victories has become a growing concern. They are creating far too few clear-cut scoring chances, and their struggles in front of goal have been well documented.

A closer look at their statistics reveals that Monza has failed to score in 12 away matches since the start of last season, a dismal record that only Lecce shares at the top of this unwanted table. This inability to find the net on the road is a major factor in their current predicament. Nesta, a former Italy defender known for his tactical intelligence, was not brought in to lead a relegation battle. In fact, Monza had comfortably finished in mid-table during their first two seasons in Serie A, and expectations were higher for this campaign.

Nevertheless, despite their league struggles, Nesta’s side has had some success in the Coppa Italia, where they booked a spot in the last 16. They will face Bologna in December, and while that run in the cup offers some solace, it cannot distract from the more pressing issue of their league form. Nesta knows that unless his team starts turning draws into wins, they risk being dragged into a long and grueling fight for survival.

Tactical Breakdown

In terms of tactics, Hellas Verona will look to capitalize on their newfound attacking prowess, which has been a major improvement since the arrivals of Tengstedt and Mosquera. The team’s focus on second-half dominance could prove pivotal once again. Their ability to come from behind, as demonstrated against Venezia, shows their resilience, and they will likely employ a similar strategy against a struggling Monza side.

Verona’s defense has had its shaky moments, particularly in the first halves of matches, but their ability to tighten up as the game progresses has helped them avoid costly mistakes late on. Paolo Zanetti’s tactical setup has favored quick transitions and utilizing the pace of their forwards on the counterattack. The inclusion of Tengstedt and Mosquera has added an extra dimension to this approach, allowing Verona to stretch opposition defenses and create more scoring opportunities.

On the other hand, Monza’s tactical setup under Alessandro Nesta has yet to yield the desired results. The Biancorossi have struggled to generate meaningful attacking chances, and their defense has been porous at times. Nesta has experimented with different formations, but the team’s overall cohesion has been lacking. One of the biggest issues for Monza has been their inability to maintain possession and control the tempo of games, particularly when playing away from home.

Nesta’s preference for a solid defensive structure has not translated into consistent clean sheets, and their lack of goals has only compounded their problems. Without a clear attacking focal point, Monza has relied heavily on individual moments of brilliance to rescue points, as seen in Mota’s equalizer against Roma. However, such moments have been few and far between.

Monza’s best hope against Verona will be to frustrate the hosts by keeping things tight at the back and looking for counterattacking opportunities. If they can weather the storm and prevent Verona from finding an early rhythm, they may be able to snatch something from the game. However, their poor away record does not inspire much confidence.

Key Players

For Verona, the key to victory will once again be Casper Tengstedt. The Danish forward has quickly become a fan favorite at Stadio Bentegodi, and his ability to find space in and around the penalty area will be crucial. Alongside Daniel Mosquera, Tengstedt has helped Verona become a more potent attacking force, and the duo’s partnership will be one to watch against Monza.

In midfield, Verona will look to the experienced Miguel Veloso to pull the strings. The Portuguese veteran has been a calming presence in the center of the park, dictating the tempo of play and providing a shield for the defense. His leadership will be vital as Verona aims to extend their unbeaten run at home against Monza.

For Monza, Dany Mota will be their main attacking threat. The Portuguese striker has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise dismal campaign, and his ability to score crucial goals could give Monza a fighting chance. In midfield, Nicolò Rovella will be tasked with breaking up Verona’s attacks and distributing the ball to Monza’s forward line.

Defensively, Monza will rely on the leadership of captain Matteo Pessina. The Italian international has been one of their most consistent performers, but he will need to inspire his teammates to a much-improved defensive display if they are to keep Verona at bay.

Prediction and Conclusion

As Verona prepares to host a winless Monza, the odds appear stacked in favor of the home side. Verona’s recent form, combined with their strong second-half performances and the influence of Tengstedt and Mosquera, suggests that they have the firepower to break down Monza’s defense. Monza, meanwhile, will need to produce something special to come away with a positive result.

While Alessandro Nesta’s men have shown flashes of potential, their struggles in front of goal and poor away record make it difficult to see them leaving Stadio Bentegodi with all three points. Unless Monza can find a way to neutralize Verona’s attacking threat and improve their own efficiency in front of goal, they may remain winless for at least another week.

In conclusion, Monday’s match represents an opportunity for Verona to continue their climb up the table, while Monza will be desperate to finally get their season up and running. However, based on recent form and head-to-head history, Verona will likely emerge victorious in this encounter, adding to Monza’s woes as they remain rooted in the relegation zone.